With fans wantinga classic Daredevil and Spider-Man interactionin the newMCUfilm,Spider-Man: No Way Home,DaredevilonNetflixgained a resurgence from fans new and old. WhileDaredevilis known for the fight scenes, expert lighting, and dark tone, the show has so much more to offer.
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For such a grim, bloody show, sometimes the audience gets a peek at the light. While the show might not be inspirational in a direct, family-friendly way, these moments just shine all the brighter in the darkness.
Ben Urich Publishing the Truth about Wilson Fisk — Season 1, Episode 12
Ben Urich (Vondie Curtis-Hall) is a reporter at the New York Bulletin and a major player in Hell’s Kitchen. As a veteran reporter with a legacy of exposing corruption and mobs, he is all but ready to retire and take care of his dementia-afflicted wife.
However, once Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) starts mobilizing his crime ring, which results in several murders and public destruction, Ben cannot sit quietly. Against the wishes of his newspaper superior, Wilson Fisk, and his safety, Ben Urich pursues the truth.
Ben sacrifices security with his wife, his journalistic career, and his life to tell the truth. He realizes that he is dealing with something greater than himself, and he is determined to serve Hell’s Kitchen to his last breath. He is a man who stood up for what was right in the face of evil.
Foggy Learning Matt’s Secret about Daredevil — Season 1, Episode 10
While there aremany compatible law and detective partners, none quite have a bond like Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson). From being college buddies to law partners, they are ready to conquer the world together. Yet it is not until Nelson discovers his best friend bleeding out on the floor in a vigilante costume, that he realizes their friendship might not possess the trust he thought it did.
The episode contrasts their sweet past to the broken present. Foggy feels betrayed that Matt not only did not tell him about his powers but also that he still lives as the dangerous vigilante at night. Even with their friendship at stake, neither man backs down from their beliefs. The scene is hard to watch because instead of the best friend happily going along with the superhero revelation, Foggy challenges Matt’s right to invoke justice. It is refreshing to see a friend question the protagonist’s motives to keep his morality in check, even if it does not have a happy ending.
Matt Murdock Talking with Frank Castle on the Roof — Season 2, Episode 3
In perhaps one of the most well-written episodes in TV history, Matt Murdock confronts Frank Castle (Jon Berenthal) in a battle of words. The lines between Frank Castle and the Punisher, Matt Murdock, and Daredevil are blurred as they discuss the consequences of living a violent life. Frank bluntly tells Matt that he did not have the luxury of hiding behind a mask when he fought in the war. He cannot separate the trauma of being a soldier and being Frank Castle, whereas Matt can live two different lives as Matt Murdock the attorney and Daredevil the vigilante.
The two debate the value of human life and the role of justice in society. As one of many superheroes with a no-kill policy, Matt argues for the sanctity of human life and the potential for redemption. Frank argues that he fully commits and only takes lives that truly deserve it. He stabs Matt at his moral vulnerability by claiming that Daredevil does not end evil but delays it, but the Punisher ends it with no possible return. The conversation is simple, yet emotionally charged, and leaves the audience pondering questions of morality themselves.
Frank Castle Being Vulnerable with Karen Page — Season 2, Episode 6
After being turned in to the police by Daredevil and officer Brett Mahoney (Royce Johnson), Frank Castle is strapped to a hospital bed and awaiting inevitable execution. The area around his bed is marked with red tape as a warning not to get too close. As Frank’s defense attorneys, Foggy goes nowhere near the red tape, Matt steps toward it but does not cross, and only Karen Page crosses the physical and moral red line to talk to the professed murderer.
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In contrast to his talk about broken people being beyond repair in his conversation with Daredevil, Frank Castle reveals a more vulnerable side to himself. Because Karen takes the leap of faith and confesses she knew about the death of Frank’s family, he opens up and clings to the memories of the people he loved. While talking about his children’s toys and habits, Karen and the audience see that Frank Castle does indeed have a heart. This leaves the audience feeling that some light still exists in his soul.
Claire Temple Fighting Against the Hand Agents at the Hospital — Season 2, Episode 10
Daredevilis not aTV medical drama, but there are countless hospital scenes. Having patched up Matt too many times and dealt with injured people he sends her way, Claire (Rosario Dawson) handles all the chaos with resilience and strength. Yet the weak, mysterious children rescued from the Hand pose a dilemma. Knowing nothing about the true condition of the children and arguing against Matt’s moral wallowing of wanting to be alone, Claire finds herself grasping at straws.
If one thing is certain about Claire, she is no coward. Even though she does not agree with Matt and does not know what is going on, she does not give up. Even though she is a normal civilian with no superhero powers, she fights against the Hand agents that attack the hospital. Even though she knew that something was off with the children, she still tried to protect them from the Hand. Claire is grounded in her belief to fight for what is right, which makes her an invaluable ally.
Marci Stahl Helping Foggy Nelson See His Worth — Season 3, Episode 4
Forever lovable and loyal, Foggy Nelson has always felt like second fiddle to Matt Murdock. Despite Matt telling him he is the true heart of Nelson and Murdock, Foggy feels weaker and less of a team player than his vigilante friend. It all culminates when Fisk is out of prison and Foggy does not know how to protect himself. For once in his life, Marci (Amy Rutberg) helps Foggy take the offensive and fight against Fisk in the open by running for District Attorney.
She shows Foggy that he does not need superpowers to take matters into his own hands and fight for justice. It is refreshing to see the two characters bring the best out of each other, especially by giving Foggy the confidence he needed all along.
Karen Page Intimidating Wilson Fisk Face-To-Face — Season 3, Episode 8
As Fisk tightens his grip around his crime circle and the FBI, Karen Page is running out of options. Recently fired from the Bulletin and on shaky ground with Matt, she desperately tries to think of a way to corner Fisk.
She decides to take the fight to him and speak to him at his penthouse. The two can speak bluntly about Fisk’s illegal activities, and they circle each other like prey.
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She tries to catch Fisk off-guard with the information she knows about Fisk’s mother and the death of Fisk’s former right-hand man James Wesley (Toby Leonard Moore). Unfortunately, Karen reveals inadvertently that Matt Murdock is Daredevil, and her revelation about Wesley’s death angers Fisk, but he does not touch her. Even though Karen’s actions may have been foolish, it is inspiring to see her keep her sharp mind and strong will at work against Fisk. Their interaction is tense, well-acted, and a defining moment for Karen.
Father Lantom Sacrificing Himself for Karen Page — Season 3, Episode 10
A long-time spiritual mentor to Matt Murdock, Father Lantom (Peter McRobbie) is a bulwark figure in Hell’s Kitchen. He provides safety and comfort to Matt and the surrounding community. Yet once Matt learns the truth about his mother and that Father Lantom knew all along, Matt loses faith physically and spiritually in him. While his relationship with Matt is broken, Father Lantom does not give up on serving the community.
When Bullseye (Wilson Bethel) appears in the church dressed as Daredevil to kill Karen Page, he immediately tries to protect the fellow civilians in the church He sacrifices himself for Karen and asks for Matt’s forgiveness with his dying breath. Instead of saving his own skin, Father Lantom protects the person he saw as a son and the people he loves. Lantom was not perfect and made mistakes, but he gave the ultimate sacrifice to save countless lives.
Brett Mahoney Standing up to Ben Poindexter — Season 3, Episode 11
Brett Mahoney is an example of a good person rightfully earning his ranks through the system. From the beginning, Brett trusted his gut and stood up for what was right, even if that meant collaborating with Daredevil or putting himself on the front-lines of hard cases. The audience gets to see Brett grow in strength and ability throughout the seasons, but his showdown with FBI Agent Poindexter/Bullseye really shines on his character. Knowing that Fisk has control over the FBI, Brett tries to preserve the values of the police force. He works with Foggy after the attack on Karen in the church, and they use their legal knowledge to claim jurisdiction over Karen’s arrest.
Despite Poindexter’s menacing demeanor and threats, Brett does not back down and does not give up Karen. Brett knowingly opposes Fisk at the risk of his own life, but he still saves Karen because it is the right thing to do. Time and time again, Brett has proven his virtue as a police sergeant, but with the stakes so high, he is a beacon of hope that there are still good people in the system who will fight for justice.
Matt Murdock Sparing Wilson Fisk’s Life — Season 3, Episode 13
After years of moral turmoil, Matt has to decide whether to kill Wilson Fisk. The final episode of the series is a three-way brawl between Fisk, Matt, and Poindexter with Fisk’s wife Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer) stuck in the middle. Intent on killing Fisk, Matt protects Vanessa from Poindexter while going at Fisk himself.
However, once Poindexter is knocked out and Fisk is in his grasp, Matt cannot commit the deed. He yells in agony as Fisk dares him to deal the final blow, but he cements his decision to spare his life with the phrase, “You don’t get to destroy who I am.” Matt realizes that keeping his humanity intact is a bigger blow to Fisk because he will always be there to protect Hell’s Kitchen. With light inside his soul, he preserves himself from Fisk’s darkness and manipulation. Matt realizes that the safety of his city and those he loves are more important than life-ending revenge.
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